from the archives

when the babies were babies

{after a really muddy trip to the dog park}

raising a stella

If you have a pooch like mine, then this post will be highly valuable to you. When I say a pooch like mine, I mean a pup that is sweet as pie, loves to chew, ready to play at any moment, and rarely tires out. Sound familiar to anyone?


I am for sure no canine expert. What I am sharing is solely based on my experience!


Here are a couple things that I love and have made raising this wild lady a little easier.

#1: Doggie Daycare
This may sound strange. Yes, it is a daycare for dogs. Yes,once a week I pay to send Stella to play with other dogs. This may sound ridiculous to pay for such a thing, but in my case, it has been worth every penny. Coming home from work to a tired out puppy is PRICELESS!

#2: Nutro Natural Choice Blueberry Crunchy Treats
These treats are one of Stella's favorites. They smell amazing,and based on her reaction, I think they taste that way as well. These treats are also the perfect size for training.

#3: Natural Balance Dog Food (Roll)
I also use this dog food as treats. This is a high end food, and extremely nutritious. I simply cut this roll down into bite size pieces (about the same size as the blueberry treats). Because this is sold as a dog food, it is much healthier than most treats on the market. This is by far Stella's favorite treat.

#4: Wide Tooth Comb
This is the best type of comb/brush for removing mats in the dogs fur.
#5: The Prong Collar
This collar may look medieval, but trust me, it is a lifesaver if you have a strong pooch that likes to pull on walks. If the pup walks along side of you, this collar will not hurt the dog in any way.

#5: Shampoo: Lambert Kay - Fresh n' Clean
Hands down, the best smelling shampoo on the market. The sent of this shampoo lingers for several days after your dog's bath.

#7 Good old fashioned stuffed animals.
I'm not sure about your dog, but mine loves to chew up toys. I can buy her a plush toy, and two hours later all the stuffing is strewed all over the living room floor. Instead of spending $15 for a new toy that will be destroyed in no time, pick up a couple used stuffed animals at your local thrift shop. This is a much cheaper alternative, and the pup has the same amount of fun.

#8: Go Dog Chew Guard Toys
If you are going to invest in some new toys, I would suggest these. I'm not sure what is in this chew guard technology, but it works! This is the only toy that Stella hasn't been able to chew up.

#9: Favorite Canned Food - Merrick

#10: Chew Repellent: Bitter Apple Spray
If you've got a pup that likes to chew things like baseboards or such, simply use this bitter apple spray to cut down on their chewing.

#11: Favorite Large Breed Dog Food - Nutro MAX
I feel like this is a good middle of the road food. It is not full of additives like the really cheap stuff, on the other hand however, it's not going to break the bank.